England's Delon Armitage has been hit with a one-week suspension for a "dangerous high tackle" on Scotland's Chris Paterson during Saturday's Rugby World Cup Pool B clash in Auckland.

Paterson was left requiring treatment after being caught late by Armitage during the second half of the game at Eden Park. Armitage escaped punishment at the time but he was subsequently cited and summoned to appear before a disciplinary hearing in Auckland on Monday.

Armitage pled guilty to the offence, which the Judicial Officer deemed to have been at the lower end of the scale of foul play. The entry point in terms of suspension for such an offence is two weeks but the Judicial Officer halved the ban after taking into consideration "mitigating factors and the absence of aggravating factors".

Consequently, while Armitage will now miss this weekend's quarter-final clash with France, the London Irish back will be available for the semis should England progress.

Armitage's unavailability for the last eight is likely to see Sale Sharks wing Mark Cueto restored to the starting line-up.